(Effective July 1, 2000)

ARTICLE I

RULES OF ORDER

The rules contained in the Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the society in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws or special rules of order of this society.

ARTICLE II

The name of the organization shall be the Kansas Chapter of the American String Teachers Association with National School Orchestra Association (ASTA with NSOA).

ARTICLE Ill

The object of the organization shall be to support and encourage the teaching of string instruments and the development of orchestras and chamber ensembles at all educational levels and to establish the highest artistic and pedagogical standards possible at each level.

ARTICLE IV

MEMBERSHIP

1. The Kansas Chapter of ASTA with NSOA shall have a minimum of ten active members on its membership roles.

2. The fiscal year for this chapter shall be May 15 through May 14.

3. The National Executive Board shall set dues.

4. Printed matter and other communications concerning the chapter or national ASTA with NSOA will be sent to all members.

5. The members of ASTA with NSOA shall be classified as being Professional, Dual, Life, Senior, Student, School or Library -- the qualifications for which classifications to be determined by the National Executive Board. Only Professional, Dual, Life and Senior members may vote or hold office on the State Board.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS

1. The elected officers of this organization shall be President, Past President, President-Elect, and Secretary

2. The appointed officers shall include a Publications Coordinator - Editor, a Membership Clerk, a Treasurer, and a Historian

3. The President with Board approval may appoint other officers if it is determined that such officers are needed. The elected and appointed officers shall constitute the ASTA with NSOA State Board

4. Appointed officers shall be selected, appointed, or re-appointed by the incoming President shortly after the beginning of the President's term of office, preferably within 30 days.

5. All elected officers shall serve for a term of two years. The term of office will begin May 15, coinciding with the term of service for national officers. Appointed officers shall begin their terms of office on the date of appointment and serve until the end of the current President's term of office. The President-Elect may reappoint them as he/she assumes office of President if the appointed officer is able and willing to continue serving and if the Board gives approval. A State President shall not be eligible for re-election for a second two-year term until at least two years after the completion of that President's term of office. Other officers may be presented for re-election with other candidates without this restriction. Each state election shall be held by mail ballot.

6. Should a vacancy in any office occur through resignation or other reasons, the President, with the approval of the majority of the Board, shall appoint a successor to serve the rest of the officer's term who is Professional, Dual, Life, or a Senior member in good standing. If a vacancy occurs in the President's office, the President-Elect will automatically assume office as President and will finish the current term as well as the term for which he/she was elected. If the vacancy occurs early in the Vacating President's term of office (during the first year), the new Succeeding President, with the approval of the State Board, will have the option of terminating his/her service at the end of the term in which he/she succeeded to the presidency or continuing to serve in the term for which he/she was originally elected.

Following a succession to the President's office, a special election will then be held by mail vote within 90 days to choose a new President-Elect. Ballots will be counted 30 days after mailing, and the newly elected President-Elect will begin the term of office immediately thereafter.

7. Duties of the Officers will be as outlined in this document or as determined by periodic review by the State Board. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

ARTICLE VI

ELECTION PROCEDURES

1. Prior to election of new officers, the President shall designate a three-person nominating committee to determine a slate of two candidates for each elected office. A chairperson of the committee will be named from the current officers other than the President. The other two members shall be chosen from Professional, Dual, Life, or Senior members of ASTA with NSOA who are familiar with the current state activities and have some knowledge about the members of the organization. Members of the nominating committee cannot be candidates in the election being considered. Chosen candidates will be contacted by telephone to receive their consent to serve as candidates. At least two candidates should be chosen to run for each elected office.

2. Election of officers will be held biennially by mail ballot, which should be sent out no later than six weeks prior to the annual business meeting. Ballots will be mailed by first class mail to all eligible state-voting members. A cover letter will indicate the date ballots are due and include brief biographies of each candidate. An enclosed return envelope will be provided. To count votes, a three-member ballot counting committee will be appointed by the President. The ballot counting committee will count the ballots and submit the results to the President. The results will be announced at the annual business meeting. A follow-up memo will be sent to all ASTA with NSOA members following the business meeting, however, terms of office will not begin before May 15.

ARTICLE VII

COMMITTEES

All committees deemed necessary in addition to the Board itself will be appointed by the President in consultation with members of the Board. The term of service will depend on the nature of the committee, and a committee may be disbanded if it no longer is needed. Members of the committees may be changed from year to year.

ARTICLE VIII

MEETINGS AND PROGRAM PLANNING

1. The program plan for the year will be determined and executed by the President and the State Board after approval by the majority of the members of the Board.

2. The annual business meeting of the Kansas Chapter of ASTA with NSOA shall be held once a year at a time and place designated by the President with the approval of a majority of the Board. All members shall be notified in advance of the meeting.

3. The President will call Board meetings at his discretion, but there will be a minimum of two Board meetings each year. Special meetings may be called to consider serious items of concern, do important planning, or make important decisions. Minutes of the Board meetings will be taken by the secretary or an approved substitute and should be submitted to the President and the other members of the Board within 30 days following the Board meeting.

4. Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for voting purposes during Board meetings. In meetings of the general membership, a minimum of eight voting members will constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE IX FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

1. The Kansas Chapter of ASTA with NSOA will receive operating funds from National rebates and revenue-producing events sponsored by the organization. The Chapter will maintain a checking account, and the President and Treasurer will be listed on the signature cards. The President shall first approve all expenditures necessary to the administration of the activities of the state organization. The President may consult the Board in deciding what expenditures should be funded.
2. The Treasurer will maintain and balance the monthly bank statements and make these available to the President upon request. The Treasurer will prepare periodic financial reports for Board meetings and an annual report to submit to all members at the time of the business meeting. This report shall be made available to any member in good standing. The financial reports shall also be made available to the National Executive Board upon request.

ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS

This constitution and bylaws may be amended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members voting. Voting shall be by mail ballot. Thirty days notice shall be given of proposed amendments prior to the date ballots are due, either by publication in the Chapter Newsletter or by a separate mailing to all members of record.

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